Most Driveway Problems Are Contractor Problems
Bad concrete is rare. Bad installation is common. The contractor who skips base prep, pours thin, or ignores drainage hands you a driveway that fails years early — and by then they are gone. Choosing right matters more than choosing cheap.
The 8 Questions to Ask Every Contractor
- How deep is the base, and what is it made of? You want 4 to 6 inches of compacted crushed stone. "We pour right on the dirt" is a disqualifier.
- What PSI and mix are you pouring? 4,000 PSI air-entrained for residential driveways in Northern Virginia. Air entrainment is non-negotiable with our freeze-thaw winters.
- How thick is the slab? Four inches minimum; thicker at the apron and under heavy vehicles.
- How are you handling joints? Control joints every 8 to 12 feet, cut or tooled — not "it will be fine."
- How will water drain? They should describe the slope away from your house and garage, in numbers.
- Who handles permits? Apron and right-of-way work in Fairfax County needs county or VDOT approval. The contractor should own this, not hand it to you.
- What is the cure schedule? 5 to 7 days before cars. Anyone who says "drive on it tomorrow" is rushing your driveway's life away.
- Is tear-out and disposal included? Get it in writing. A quote without it is not a complete quote.
Red Flags
- Cash-only, no written contract, no written quote.
- "We have leftover concrete from another job" — the oldest trick in the book.
- No questions about your soil, drainage, or HOA.
- A quote far below the others — it is missing something expensive, usually the base.
- Pressure to sign today for a "today only" price.
Comparing Quotes
Line up quotes side by side and check that each one specifies thickness, PSI, base depth, joint spacing, tear-out, and permits. Two quotes for "a new driveway" can describe two completely different jobs. Our cost guide explains what moves the price.
Ask Us Anything
Send us the form — we answer every one of these questions in writing before you sign anything, and we are happy to explain what competing quotes include or leave out.